Ocracoke, NC frost dates
Last spring frostMar 1median date
First fall frostDec 20median date
Growing season294 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone9aZone 9a
How Ocracoke compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Ocracoke falls between February 6 and March 21, a 43-day window. The first fall frost falls between November 29 and January 14.
- The median last frost is 31 days earlier than the North Carolina median of Apr 1.
- Its 294-day growing season is among the longest of the 759 North Carolina places with a regular frost season.
- The last frost is typical for zone 9a, where the median is Mar 3.
- The weather station records an average of 18 nights a year at or below 32°F.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | February 6 |
| 50% (median) | March 1 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | March 21 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | November 29 |
| 50% (median) | December 20 |
| 90% (late) | January 14 |
Frost here means 32°F (0°C). A median date means half of years have their last frost earlier and half later.
Planting calendar for Ocracoke, NC
Ocracoke, NC frost dates — last frost Mar 1, first frost Dec 20, zone 9a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Dec 7 to Dec 21Transplant outside: Feb 1 to Feb 15
Start indoors: Dec 21 to Jan 4Start indoors: Dec 21 to Jan 4Transplant outside: Mar 15 to Mar 29
Start indoors: Dec 21 to Jan 4Start indoors: Dec 21 to Jan 4Transplant outside: Mar 15 to Mar 29
Start indoors: Jan 4 to Jan 18Transplant outside: Mar 8 to Mar 22
Start indoors: Jan 4 to Jan 18Transplant outside: Feb 8 to Feb 22Sow outdoors: Feb 1 to Mar 8Plant for fall: Oct 25 to Nov 22
Start indoors: Jan 4 to Jan 18Transplant outside: Feb 1 to Feb 15Sow outdoors: Feb 1 to Feb 15Plant for fall: Oct 11 to Nov 1
Start indoors: Jan 4 to Jan 18Transplant outside: Feb 15 to Mar 1Plant for fall: Sep 13 to Oct 4
Start indoors: Jan 4 to Jan 18Transplant outside: Feb 8 to Feb 22Plant for fall: Sep 13 to Oct 4
Start indoors: Jan 4 to Jan 18Transplant outside: Feb 15 to Mar 1Plant for fall: Sep 13 to Oct 4
Start indoors: Jan 18 to Feb 1Transplant outside: Mar 22 to Apr 5Sow outdoors: Mar 22 to Apr 5
Start indoors: Jan 18 to Feb 1Transplant outside: Mar 8 to Mar 22
Sow outdoors: Jan 18 to Feb 8Plant for fall: Sep 27 to Oct 18
Sow outdoors: Jan 18 to Feb 8Plant for fall: Oct 25 to Nov 15
Sow outdoors: Jan 25 to Mar 8Plant for fall: Nov 8 to Nov 29
Start indoors: Feb 1 to Feb 8Transplant outside: Mar 15 to Mar 22Sow outdoors: Mar 8 to Mar 22Plant for fall: Oct 4 to Oct 18
Start indoors: Feb 1 to Feb 8Sow outdoors: Mar 8 to Mar 22Plant for fall: Oct 11 to Oct 25
Start indoors: Feb 1 to Feb 8Sow outdoors: Mar 8 to Mar 22
Start indoors: Feb 1 to Feb 8Transplant outside: Mar 15 to Mar 29
Sow outdoors: Feb 8 to Mar 8Plant for fall: Sep 27 to Oct 11
Sow outdoors: Feb 8 to Mar 8Plant for fall: Oct 11 to Oct 25
Sow outdoors: Feb 8 to Mar 1
Sow outdoors: Feb 15 to Mar 15Plant for fall: Oct 11 to Oct 25
Sow outdoors: Feb 15 to Mar 8Plant for fall: Oct 25 to Nov 15
Sow outdoors: Mar 8 to Mar 29Plant for fall: Oct 4 to Oct 18
Sow outdoors: Mar 8 to Mar 22
Transplant outside: Mar 15 to Apr 5
Plant for fall: Dec 6 to Jan 10Plant for fall: Dec 6 to Jan 10
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Ocracoke, NC
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Dec 7 – Dec 21 | Feb 1 – Feb 15 | — | — |
| Peppers | Dec 21 – Jan 4 | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Dec 21 – Jan 4 | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Jan 4 – Jan 18 | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Jan 4 – Jan 18 | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | Feb 1 – Mar 8 | Oct 25 – Nov 22 |
| Kale | Jan 4 – Jan 18 | Feb 1 – Feb 15 | Feb 1 – Feb 15 | Oct 11 – Nov 1 |
| Broccoli | Jan 4 – Jan 18 | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | — | Sep 13 – Oct 4 |
| Cabbage | Jan 4 – Jan 18 | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | — | Sep 13 – Oct 4 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 4 – Jan 18 | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | — | Sep 13 – Oct 4 |
| Okra | Jan 18 – Feb 1 | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | — |
| Basil | Jan 18 – Feb 1 | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Jan 18 – Feb 8 | Sep 27 – Oct 18 |
| Spinach | — | — | Jan 18 – Feb 8 | Oct 25 – Nov 15 |
| Radishes | — | — | Jan 25 – Mar 8 | Nov 8 – Nov 29 |
| Cucumbers | Feb 1 – Feb 8 | Mar 15 – Mar 22 | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | Oct 4 – Oct 18 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Feb 1 – Feb 8 | — | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | Oct 11 – Oct 25 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Feb 1 – Feb 8 | — | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Feb 1 – Feb 8 | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Feb 8 – Mar 8 | Sep 27 – Oct 11 |
| Beets | — | — | Feb 8 – Mar 8 | Oct 11 – Oct 25 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Feb 8 – Mar 1 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Feb 15 – Mar 15 | Oct 11 – Oct 25 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Feb 15 – Mar 8 | Oct 25 – Nov 15 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Mar 8 – Mar 29 | Oct 4 – Oct 18 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Mar 15 – Apr 5 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Dec 6 – Jan 10 |
Dates come from the median frost dates and common extension-service timing. Adjust for your soil temperature, microclimate and the varieties you grow.
About these dates
Based on 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for the Ocracoke, NC weather station, 9 km away (elevation 3 ft (1 m)).
Frost dates near Ocracoke
- Hatteras Mar 4 · Dec 22
- Frisco Mar 4 · Dec 22
- Buxton Mar 1 · Dec 20
- Cedar Island Mar 11 · Nov 30
- Avon Mar 1 · Dec 20
- Engelhard Mar 29 · Nov 13
- Swanquarter Mar 18 · Nov 25
- Atlantic Mar 11 · Nov 30
- Sealevel Mar 11 · Nov 30
- Fairfield Apr 7 · Nov 4
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Ocracoke, NC?
The median last spring frost in Ocracoke, NC is March 1. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after March 21, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Ocracoke, NC?
The median first fall frost is December 20, with about a 10% chance of frost before November 29.
How long is the growing season in Ocracoke, NC?
About 294 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Ocracoke, NC?
Ocracoke, NC is in USDA hardiness zone 9a.